Comments on: Eyes on the Street: Going Soft on Bus Lane Violators

By: Liam Patrick

Liam Patrick — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 12:53:55 +0000

@LN, actually, it's not that difficult to maneuver between these, it's the issue of riding parallel to them and being forced over them by a car or bus.

By: LN

LN — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 20:29:29 +0000

I rode in the 34th street bike lane last night. The bumps start to appear a few yards in from each intersection, and you are basically stuck in the lane until the next intersection, because the bumps are so close together, there's no way to get out safely. Imagine if it were daytime and there was a bus barreling down on my ass, its a death trap.

By: Andy B from Jersey

Andy B from Jersey — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 01:03:00 +0000

There is a reason why these things are never used around here but are common in places like California.

It snows here! First snow storm these will all get ripped up by the snowplow. I very surprised they were ever even installed knowing this.

Plus they are typically only used on freeways out there and not on surface streets where they pose a very real hazard for cyclists.

By: Brooklyn

Brooklyn — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 21:05:55 +0000

Elsewhere, those are called "Bott's dots," and you'll see them laid as lane dividers on highways, because drivers are such collective morons that they can't even keep a straight line.

Like rumble strips, these are merely annoying for drivers but dangerous for cyclists -- they cause your front wheel to jerk laterally. Not sure about these, but they can sometimes be slicker than paint in the rain, as well. In the dark, I doubt these will be visible.

Terrible idea by the DOT.

By: daniel

daniel — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 20:07:45 +0000

so we can't install bus lane cameras but we can put down mutant fried eggs? this is so wrong.

By: Mark Walker

Mark Walker — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 18:59:39 +0000

I remain convinced that the only way to protect bike and pedestrian space is with something that can dent a bumper or bust an axle.

By: Angus Grieve-Smith

Angus Grieve-Smith — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 18:57:31 +0000

I don't have any experience with these "soft barriers," but I took the eastbound M16 last week during rush hour and it was noticeably faster than before the bus lanes. This despite the three or four vehicles parked in the bus lane. Definitely looking forward to Phase Two.

By: L Mark

L Mark — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 18:24:59 +0000

Worse than useless. Does nothing to keep cars out and creates new danger for bikers. Get these off the street.

By: Liam Patrick

Liam Patrick — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 18:15:16 +0000

These markers make cycling near the bus lane really dangerous.